Chatbots

Image: pureclipart.com
Chatbots are robots that respond to text.  Chatbots are a great way for EAL students to develop basic conversation skills either by talking to a chatbot or developing their own chatbot.  Bots as language learning tools is an article that discusses the potential for bots to benefit EAL students. Below are some chatbot sites: 


pandorabots- create your own chatbots!
chatbots.org- A large collection of chatbots.   
jabberwacky.com Speak to George or Joan in text or say it aloud.  
cleverbot.com Type questions into a text box to talk to the cleverbot.  
icogno.com Speak to Joan a videocentric avatar.  


Below are some Chatbots shared by Shelly Terrell:  

BELL- A female chatbot that responds to messages typed in by children and adults.     

ESLFast- Students can speak with Tutor Mike, a male bot, or the female shopping bot. There are many dialogue examples on the right side of the website. English language learners can listen and read the various dialogues for various situations.   

Elbot- This is a robot that chats with students. Click on the red button on his stomach to chat with him.

 Shelly Terrell, Teacher Reboot Camp, June 2010